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Since we're on the discussion of batteries for flashlights, everyone needs to be careful of lithium batteries. If you buy lithium batteries for use with lights or optics, make sure to only use batteries made in the US, and batteries made for use with the gear you're using. There are numerous incidents of Pakistani and Chinese made lithium batteries spontaneously combusting inside of weaponlights and optics. They are poorly built, and do not have circuit designs that will protect against overheating or shorting.

In addition to this, light and optic manufacturers have stated that you should not use photo lithium batteries in their products. Photo lithium batteries have a different cycling and discharge rate (or some kind of issue similar to that) that is designed for surges of current. Weapon light batteries like those from SureFire and Streamlight are designed for constant and consistent power output.
Besides this, photo lithium and normal lithium batteries are expensive. Why buy them when you can buy SF or Streamlight batteries IN BULK for a lot less?

Also, when you are storing lithium batteries, do not allow them to move around loosely. They should be in a container or compartment that prevents them from moving around. This is another cause of batteries catching on fire.

I have ordered a total of 5 China type flashlights off of eBay; each using the CREE XML T-6 LED. It blows my mind how much light these things give out.

The first two of them use the pipebomb 18650 battery. After learning more about these (JonJon) I started my search for a similar type using regular batteries.

They are few and far between but I found some! At under $15 each, I bought three different models from three different sellers on ebay. All use 3 AAA batteries (or 18650) and the CREE T6 LED.

Anyway, they rock! Each is a little different.

1. I like the best, but does not fit 1" rings for pic rail, superwide solid beam, no halo, but the rear button sticks out and not protected.
2. I like second best, fits rings, but 1 out of 2 was defective (slide loose for focus, did come on though)
3. I like third best due to beam not as wide as #1, but it has a clickable focus, and is the unit is the smallest

All three have adjustable focus, strobe, and rear controls.

Anyway, at 4.5v for 3 AAAs, batteries should last decent time (like an hour) lsince the LED works down to about 3v.

I tried to find a reasonable Fenix version that used reg batteries. Only a couple of models and they are waaay overpriced for the same LEDs ($250). I am sure the build quality is better, but at 10-15x the price, it just gets silly.

What I do not understand is why someone can not make a $50-$100 light that has 3 T6 leds that run off of 3 D batteries. Its so simple. 3 Ds = 4.5v and as much as 3000mah. Run the 3 LEDs in parallel, so each wants 3-4.5v and the standard circuit driver has 3 output levels to save batteries.

You would get hours off the D cells and a ton of light dim-able down to normal.

Juat got 2 in from amazon that I ordered... the first one is 300 lumen and is bright as shyt. Second I need a battery for but its supposed to be 900 lumen... both where below 25 bucks each with free shipping